Dance
Do you love expressing your emotions through artistic movement? If the artistic outlet that dance offers appeals to you, then you should consider a career in the performing arts industry. We offer two pathways in the Dance program.
If you’d like to pursue a career in dance performance, choreography, teaching, and fitness instruction, consider the AAFA in Dance, which provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum. You'll have the opportunity to become skilled at incorporating kinesthetic and somatic principles of movement into various dance styles, as well as apply artistic elements to your dance like intention, movement quality, connection, musicality, and so much more! We will teach you how to critically analyze and evaluate choreography, technique, and performance, and provide written and oral feedback.
If you’d like to diversify your dance portfolio, consider the AAS in Dance Performance and Technology, which integrates performance, technology, kinesiology, and real world application into the Dance program. Our goal is to teach you how to survive in the 21st century dance industry with conservatory style dance training coupled with practical skills outside of the studio to support a career in the arts. We provide training in dance theory, technique, performance, dance for camera, and production. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn how to edit and create digital music, create marketing materials, and use computer technology for the dance industry.
Make your dreams happen today with the Dance program!
Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges.
| Associate in Arts, Fine Arts, Emphasis in Dance |
The vision for the performing arts at Estrella Mountain Community is individual expression through creative collaboration.
This foundational approach provides all dance students with an educational experience that is inclusive, supportive and enriching. Dance can be a powerful force for social awareness and community engagement is an integral part of student performance opportunities.
Dance @ EMCC
Dance majors receive a comprehensive dance curriculum which is combined with solid vocational skills preparation. Career options and requirements; auditioning and interviewing techniques; self-promotion, networking and event marketing; arts administration and funding sources are all covered in a Special Topics course offered only at EMCC.
General-interest students have the opportunity to train, create and perform alongside degree students in a pre-professional and non-competitive environment.
- Participants engage in a cooperative approach to training, creating, and performing.
- All classes are open to both degree-seeking and general-interest students.
- No auditions are required for performing with the student company, DancEstrella which uses a collaborative artistic process for developing productions.
- EMCC’s new Performing Arts Center houses a beautiful dance studio for classes, and a 295 seat proscenium theatre for performances, serving the college and community as a regional artistic hub.
What Students Are Saying
“The dance program at EMCC was very collaborative and creative. It gave me the confidence to come out of my shell, think outside the box, and help me realize there are no wrong answers.”
"Being in DancEstrella has changed my life. My relationship with my body, with dance, art, community...I feel challenged and pushed constantly as a student, professional, dancer, human. I have developed friendships that have enhanced my life in every way.”
“Collaboration really showed me that things can always work out through a compromise. It also taught me how to be a team player and keep my mind open to other people’s suggestions.”